It does not befit a layman to
dispute or teach publicly, thus claiming for himself authority to
teach, but he should yield to the order appointed by the Lord, and to
open his ears to those who have received the grace to teach, and be
taught by them divine things; for in one Church God has made
“different members,” according to the word of the
Apostle: and Gregory the Theologian, wisely interpreting this
passage, commends the order in vogue with them saying:379379λέγων in
Beveridge’s text. “This order brethren we
revere, this we guard. Let this one be the ear; that one the
tongue, the hand or any other member. Let this one teach, but let
that one learn.” And a little further on:
“Learning in docility and abounding in cheerfulness, and
ministering with alacrity, we shall not all be the tongue which is the
more active member, not all of us Apostles, not all prophets, nor shall
we all interpret.” And again: “Why dost thou
make thyself a shepherd when thou art a sheep? Why become the
head when thou art a foot? Why dost thou try to be a commander
when thou art enrolled in the number of the soldiers?” And
elsewhere: “Wisdom orders, Be not swift in words; nor
compare thyself with the rich, being poor; nor seek to be wiser than
the wise.” But if any one be found weakening the present
canon, he is to be cut off for forty days.

Notes.

Ancient Epitome of Canon
LXIV.

A layman shall not teach, for all are not prophets, nor
all apostles.

Zonaras points out that this canon refers only to public
instruction and not to private. Van Espen further notes that in
the West this restriction is limited to the solemn and public preaching
and announcing of the Word of God, which is restricted to bishops, and
only by special and express license given to the other clergy, and
refers to his own treatment of the subject In jure Eccles., Tom
I., part 1, tit. xvj., cap. viij.